147 Ga. 192 | Ga. | 1917
The General Assembly in 1913 passed an act establishing an institution to be known as the Georgia Training School for Girls, and authorizing the judges. of the city and superior courts to commit girls of certain classes to that institution. Acts 1913, p. 87. The seventh section of the act is as follows: “That the judges of the city and superior courts may in their discretion commit to the Georgia Training School for Girls any girl under eighteen years of age, who has committed any offense against the laws of this State, not punishable by death or life imprisonment, or who habitually associates with vicious or immoral people, or who is incorrigible to such an extent that she can not be controlled by parent or guardian, there to be held until such girl reaches the age of twenty-one, unless sooner discharged, bound out, or paroled under the rules and regulations of said board of managers; provided, however, that no girl who is insane or an idiot or afflicted with an incurable disease shall be sentenced or committed to said institution. The judges of the city and superior courts may hear and determine such cases presiding in court or in chambers; provided, that any girl brought before court shall have a right to-demand trial by jury, and may appeal from the judgment of said court as provided by law. The fees that are now allowed by law for carrying persons to the penitentiary shall be allowed to the sheriffs of the various counties of the State for services in-taking such girls as may be committed by the several courts to the Georgia Training School for Girls.” Agnes McKinna caused to be prepared a petition with the caption, “Georgia, Lowndes County,” and addressed “To the Court of Ordinary of said County,” wherein it was alleged that Lucile Wingate, a girl under the age of eighteen years, and the daughter of K. L. Wingate, was being reared under conditions which' are detrimental to her moral character; that her father had deserted her, and resided in another State; that her mother was dead, and the child resided with Mrs. Minnie Clements, her aunt, who was im~
Judgment affirmed.